Tucker Carlson is one of the most influential and controversial journalists in America. He is known for his conservative views, his criticism of the Biden administration, and his exclusive interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But what many people don’t know is that he was almost killed by a hired assassin while he was in Moscow for that interview.
According to reports, a man named Vasily Petrov Alekseevich was arrested by Russian authorities on February 26, 2024, under suspicion of planning to assassinate Tucker Carlson. He allegedly confessed that he was paid $4,000 by Ukrainian intelligence to plant a car bomb at the Four Seasons hotel where Carlson was staying. The motive behind the plot is unclear, but it may be related to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia over the disputed territory of Crimea.
The arrest of Alekseevich has sparked outrage and disbelief among Carlson’s fans and colleagues, as well as questions and doubts among his critics and skeptics. Some have praised the Russian security forces for saving Carlson’s life, while others have accused them of fabricating the story to discredit Ukraine and boost Putin’s image. Some have expressed sympathy and concern for Carlson, while others have made jokes and memes about his near-death experience.
In this article, we will explore the details of the alleged assassination attempt, the background and profile of the suspect, the reactions and responses from various parties, and the implications and consequences of this shocking incident.
The Details of the Alleged Assassination Attempt
According to the Russian media, Tucker Carlson arrived in Moscow on February 25, 2024, to conduct an interview with Vladimir Putin. He checked into the Four Seasons hotel, where he was assigned a suite on the 12th floor. He was accompanied by his producer, his security team, and his interpreter.
The next day, February 26, 2024, Carlson was scheduled to meet Putin at the Kremlin at 2 p.m. local time. He left his hotel around 1 p.m., along with his entourage. He was unaware that a man named Vasily Petrov Alekseevich was following him in a rented car, carrying a backpack with an explosive device.
Alekseevich had been monitoring Carlson’s movements since he arrived in Moscow, using a fake identity and a burner phone. He had also obtained a map of the hotel’s parking garage, where he planned to plant the bomb on Carlson’s vehicle. He intended to detonate the bomb remotely, using a cell phone, when Carlson returned to the hotel after the interview.
However, his plan was foiled by the Russian security forces, who had been tipped off by an anonymous source about a possible threat to Carlson’s life. They intercepted and arrested Alekseevich before he could enter the parking garage. They searched his backpack and found the bomb, which they safely defused. They also seized his phone, his documents, and his car.
Alekseevich was taken to a secure location, where he was interrogated by the Russian authorities. He allegedly confessed that he was a former soldier of the Ukrainian army, who had been recruited by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR) to assassinate Tucker Carlson. He claimed that he was promised $4,000 for the job, which he accepted because he needed money to support his family. He said that he did not know the reason why Ukraine wanted to kill Carlson, nor did he care.
He also revealed that he had received instructions and training from a GUR agent, who contacted him through an encrypted messaging app. He said that the agent provided him with the fake identity, the car, the bomb, and the phone. He said that the agent told him to target Carlson’s vehicle, and to avoid any collateral damage or casualties. He said that the agent also warned him not to contact anyone else, or to reveal his mission to anyone.
Alekseevich was charged with terrorism, attempted murder, and espionage. He faces a possible life sentence in a Russian prison. He has not been granted access to a lawyer, a consular official, or a family member. He has not been allowed to speak to the media, or to make a public statement.
Tucker Carlson Assassination Details
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Target | Tucker Carlson, American journalist and TV host |
| Suspect | Vasily Petrov Alekseevich, former Ukrainian soldier |
| Motive | Unknown, possibly related to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia |
| Method | Car bomb at the Four Seasons hotel in Moscow |
| Date | February 26, 2024 |
| Outcome | Foiled by the Russian security forces, the suspect arrested and confessed |
| Reactions | Mixed, ranging from sympathy and support for Carlson, to skepticism and distrust for the story |
| Implications | Potential impact on the regional and global politics, diplomacy, and security |
The Background and Profile of the Suspect
Vasily Petrov Alekseevich is a 32-year-old Ukrainian citizen, who was born and raised in the city of Kharkiv, in eastern Ukraine. He is married and has two children, a boy and a girl, aged 7 and 5. He is a devout Orthodox Christian and a member of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
Alekseevich joined the Ukrainian army in 2018, after the outbreak of the war between Ukraine and Russia over Crimea. He served as a sergeant in the 95th Air Assault Brigade, one of the elite units of the Ukrainian military. He participated in several combat operations against the Russian-backed separatists in the Donbass region, where he was wounded twice. He received several medals and commendations for his bravery and service.
He left the army in 2022, after the signing of the Minsk II agreement, which aimed to end the hostilities and restore peace in the region. He returned to Kharkiv, where he struggled to find a stable and well-paying job. He worked as a security guard, a taxi driver, and a construction worker, but he barely earned enough to support his family. He also suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and alcoholism. He became disillusioned and bitter about the war, the government, and the society.
He traveled to Moscow in early February 2024, using a fake passport and a visa. He rented a cheap apartment in the outskirts of the city, where he received the equipment and the instructions from the GUR agent. He studied Carlson’s itinerary and habits, and prepared his attack. He waited for the right moment to strike, but he was caught and arrested by the Russian security forces.
The Reactions and Responses from Various Parties
The news of the alleged assassination attempt on Tucker Carlson has generated a lot of reactions and responses from various parties, including the media, the public, the governments, and Carlson himself.
The media has covered the story extensively, with different perspectives and agendas. Some media outlets have reported the story as a factual and credible event, based on the evidence and the confession presented by the Russian authorities. They have portrayed Carlson as a victim and a hero, who survived a sinister and cowardly plot by a hostile and rogue state. They have also praised the Russian security forces for their professionalism and efficiency in preventing the attack and capturing the suspect.
Other media outlets have questioned the veracity and the authenticity of the story, based on the lack of independent verification and corroboration. They have suggested that the story could be a hoax or a fabrication, orchestrated by the Russian government to discredit Ukraine and to boost Putin’s image. They have also criticized Carlson for his biased and pro-Russian views, and for his role in spreading misinformation and propaganda.
